Covid 19
MIQ exemption extended to more unvaccinated, including Australians
Unvaccinated visa holders, permanent residents, and Australians who normally live in New Zealand will from Friday be able to travel in and out of New Zealand without entering MIQ.
Covid-19: Commuters flowing back to central cities
Central Wellington is finally starting to come back to life as workers return to the office and adjust to a new Covid-19 normal.
Businesses have been desperate for the return of lunchtime shoppers.
… Audio
Students go back to school with voluntary masking
It was back to school for students around the country yesterday, the first time they had class under the orange Covid traffic light setting. At orange, masks are encouraged but not mandatory indoors… Audio
First international tourist flights land in two years at Auckland Airport
The first international flights have touched down in Auckland in over two years, bringing in tourists, family and Kiwis home from holidays or business trips.
A historic and entirely unprecedented… Video, Audio
The Panel with Parmjeet Parmar and Max Harris (Part 1)
Panellists Parmjeet Parmar and Max Harris discuss sea-level rise in Aotearoa, Covid-19 in schools, and using the word 'mate', colloquially. Anna Thomas in for Wallace Chapman. Audio
Covid-19 update: Seven deaths, 6636 new cases
There are seven deaths reported today and 6636 new community cases, with 480 people in hospital and 12 in ICU.
The extra mile: What community healthcare workers went through in lockdown
New research into what community healthcare workers experienced in the early days of the pandemic has been released this morning - finding many answered 'a call of duty' to care for their patients… Audio
LAMP test trials should have come earlier - expert
A trial of a new Covid-19 test is on its way but some are asking why it's taken so long.
Thirty Air New Zealand staff will take part in LAMP tests - a new system that can detect Covid-19 within… Audio
Siouxsie Wiles on BA.4 Omicron variant
The BA.4 Omicron variant has arrived in Aotearoa from South Africa. Authorities say the variant is no more transmissible or severe than other Omicron variants.
It does, however, seem to spread more… Audio
'They're not going to rush back': Tourism operators want pre-departure tests ditched
Tourism operators say pre-departure Covid-19 testing is putting off overseas travellers from coming here and they want the requirement removed.
'Back on the map': Border reopens to visa waiver countries
It is the next step in the gradual opening of the border after it was slammed shut in March 2020 as part of the government's Covid-19 response.
AirNZ and the return of international travellers
Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran talks to Nathan Rarere about what it means to welcome international visitors back to NZ after more than two years. Audio
International visitors touch down for the first time this morning
For the first time in more than two years, international visitors are being welcomed into New Zealand this morning. The borders re-opened to vaccinated travellers from visa waiver countries at… Audio
Omicron BA.4 variant in NZ - What it means
The BA.4 Omicron variant has arrived in New Zealand from South Africa - but that is expected, and there is no evidence it is more transmissible or severe than other variants.
Rapid LAMP Covid tests trial to begin in New Zealand
The government is trialling a new form of Covid-19 test, which it says combines the accuracy of PCR tests with the speed of RATs.
How your mindset can change your world
David Robson's new book, The Expectation Effect, sets out to help people harness the mind-body connection that can improve their lives. Robson discusses the role the brain plays in both expectations… Audio
Border reopens to international visitors tonight
For the first time in more than two years, New Zealand's border will reopen to international visitors at midnight tonight.
Calling Home: Sophie Woods in Parts Unknown
Sophie and her husband George Woods were previously London-based, but these days they park up wherever the wind takes them. The couple have been roaming around Europe in a converted campervan for… Audio
Professor Gary McLean on Omicron and its variants
Kiwi Gary McLean is a professor in molecular immunology at London Metropolitan University and a researcher with Imperial College. Professor McLean is back with us for an update on all the latest… Audio
Covid-19 subvariant BA.2.12.1 detected in Australia
Another Omicron Covid-19 sub-variant - thought to be more transmissible than the current dominant strain - has been found in Australia.
